Worrying Problem With An Elderly Relatives Hip?

Question

Hi can anyone help me, an elder relative of mine fell off her mobility scooter about 3 weeks ago. This resulted in her landing on the curb, and then the mobility scooter falling onto her leaving her in much pain and discomfort. She had a hip replacement around 6 years ago but at the time of surgery the surgeons noted that she had a crack in her hip, as she had fallen some years previous resulting in a hairline crack.

Over the last 3 weeks, there has been symptoms developing increasingly, and she has noted that she has pubic bone pressure, unable to walk without a stick, has trouble walking steady and is walking lopsided, as though trying to avoid pressure on the hip joint in question.

We have been trying to get her to go to the hospital recently, but she seems to have convinced herself that it isn't anything serious and so I was wondering if anyone would be able to shine any light on any possible damage that has resulted as a consequence of the fall.

She fell on the side where the hip replacement was done, but the scooter fell on top of her (she went to sit on the scooter but as she held the handle it set off, she fell and it spun around and fell onto her) I am really getting worried as she has been saying she feels unwell and she wants to wait til she feels better before going to see a doctor or A&E. I am worried as i have heard that this can be fatal if left untreated if she has broken her hip, and i am trying to get ALL family to convince her to go to the hospital. I just don't know what to do, and i don't want anything bad to happen to her.

Answer 1

It's difficult with an elderly person to make them do what they need. It's quite apparent she needs to go to the doctor and get Examined. She probably has problems with the trocanter joint of the hip, that's what's making it so difficult for her to walk.

if you can't get her to go to the doctor, get a massage therapist to come to your home and examine her. She might listen to a qualified person more than her family.

I had to become the mother to my father when he was elderly and had many serious health problems. I would force him into the hospital. He would fight but I always won. Sometimes you just have to do things that don't make people happy.

Answer 2

Im not a doctor but i work for age concern as an adviser. It's very difficult to intervene when people won't allow. (Lot of elderly are very independant, and don't like to bother people) Firstly i would advice you to sit with your relative and discuss the matter and explain it will help her physically if she see's a doctor and also will stop yu from worrying. If she refuses this then speak to her doctor direct and see if he can drop by. This definatley needs looking into as it can cause more problems in the future. Are you in the uk? If so and she is over 65 then she will be entitled to a benefit called Attendance Allowance. This benefit is for the disability she has. She can spend the benefit on what she likes and is granted for peple who have prblems walking, dressing, coking, personal care and many more. You can apply for them using the websites i have listed below. Has she got a social worker? She may need help around the house, cleaning, cooking, shopping etc. They will assess her and come up with a care plan for her. Also she may need adaptations in her home e.g stairlifts, grabbers (to pick things up), walkin shower, bath seat and many more. Hpe this helps and i hope she takes your advice of seeing a doctor. Good luck
www.dwp.gov.uk
www.ageconcernengland.org.uk

Answer 3

You don't say whether she fell on the same side as the hip that was replaced. Regardless, she needs to see the doctor. The hip is particularly at risk because the head of the femur (the ball-like bit at the top of the thigh bone) has limited blood supply and damage in that region can cause ischemia. Also, fractures in an elderly person causes possible risks of an embolism which are dangerous because they can cause strokes.

Do encourage her to go and see the doctor. Tell her that doctors are always willing to have a chat with their patients and are genuinely concerned about any fall that they have.

Good luck. (What a great relative you are!!)

Answer 4

Give her a choice of going to the hospital or the funeral home. If she gets down and can't walk, it'll be the beginning of the end for her.

She needs to go to the emergency room and be checked out. It's possible that it's nothing serious and just requires some rest and relaxation. If it's more serious, prompt attention will prevent a longer hospital stay, long term or permanent damage.

Answer 5

She will have to get an x-ray, no matter what, and be diagnosed.
Somehow, you and the family will have to have an "intervention" and convince her to get to the emergency room and get x-rayed. It is very frightening for her to be in pain, but she's also frightened of being helpless and dependent, too---who can blame anyone for not wanting to go to a hospital?
But someone has to get things organized and get her there---she may be grateful if someone else in the family takes charge for a little while so she doesn't have the burden of worry and pain on her. Get the relatives, get transportation, and tell her she's going on a certain morning, or a certain afternoon, and get this done. It's not a pleasant event, but it must get done.

Answer 6

It is a typical fall which could result in a hip fracture or especially in the elderly a fracture of the pubic raymus (excuse spelling) bone in your pelvis. The only way you can get her to have an x ray is to explain to her why she needs to get checked out. Another option is to speak to the gp to see if he will call out to her sometimes this is better. She definately needs to get checked out because i have seen so many times elderly people who are reluctant to come and has a fracture

Answer 7

ohh she needs to get to the doctor and get an xray, broken hips are the leading causes of blood clots and death in the elderly, all falls should be considered important and an xray done. Sometimes they have to set the hip with surgery. Sometimes infection can settle in as well and bone infections are very serious. She may have dislocated it too that would affect the pubic bone, trick her into going to the dr, it is important.

Answer 8

The trouble with the elderly is that they don't want to admit to having a problem,just recently my father had a stroke but insisted on going to see his doctor rather than ringing for an ambulance (I manged to get him to go in the ambulance in the end).
Just remind them of there hip but without going over the top then eventually they will see their doctor thinking it was their idea.I wish you luck and hope it's nothing serious.

Answer 9

She needs to go to see a doctor. Without them examining her and doing some x-rays there is no way to tell if there is damage or how bad it is. But, if she is having problems walking/pain then she should go sooner rather than later. If there is a problem then it should be treated before it gets even worse.

Answer 10

She certainly needs to see a physician. . .sooner than later, but I'd say this isn't an "emergency", so do not take her to the ER. Rather, get her to her family doctor and that Dr. should get an x-ray.

If the x-ray is negetive (no fracture), then let her know that physical therapy can likely help her to have less pain and be more mobile.

Go to APTA.org, click on "find a PT" and search your home area. You can find therapists who are board-certified specialists in orthopedics or geriatrics (OCS or GCS after their name).

Good luck!